JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Self Improvement and Volunteerism
I used to think that off-duty education, supporting base organizations and activities, and community service were to be looked at as one setting themselves apart or going above and beyond.
When reading Air Force Instruction 36-2618, "The Enlisted Force Structure," however, I realized that not only are those things good, but they are actually responsibilities we must fulfill. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 of this AFI list Airman, NCO and senior NCO responsibilities.
In AFI 36-2618, paragraphs 3.1.8 and 4.1.8, it reads, "Continue professional development through on- and off-duty education. Join professional organizations (for example, base advisory and enlisted councils) and participate in organization and community events through volunteerism." The first sentence in Chapter 5 dealing with senior NCOs states, "In addition to meeting all NCO responsibilities, SNCOs must ..."
So, one can easily see it is mandated by the AFI that we do these things and it applies to all enlisted ranks, not just those preparing for E-8 and E-9 promotion boards.